London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Wanstead and Woodford 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wanstead and Woodford]
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Details of the average monthly reading are given below, with smoke expressed in milligrams per 100 cubic metres, and sulphur dioxide in parts per 100 million:—
| Year and Month | Smoke | Sulphur Dioxide | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | Highest | Average | Highest | |
| 1957 | ||||
| January | 27 | 74 | 8 | 21 |
| February | 41 | 80 | 11 | 21 |
| March | 32 | 66 | 8 | 20 |
| April | 12 | 30 | 4 | 17 |
| May | 7 | 14 | 3 | 7 |
| June | 4 | 10 | 2 | 6 |
| July | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| August | 2 | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| September | 3 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| October | 14 | 44 | 5 | 10 |
| November | 17 | 45 | 6 | 17 |
| December | 47 | 205 | 18 | 69 |
The average yearly figures for 1955, 1956, and 1957 are given below:
| Smoke: | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average for year | 19 | 18 | 17 |
| Average for winter months | 32 | 29 | 31 |
| Average for summer months | 6 | 7 | 5 |
| Highest daily recording | 153 | 112 | 205 |
| Sulphur Dioxide: | |||
| Average for year | 5.5 | 6 | 6 |
| Average for winter months | 8 | 9 | 9.3 |
| Average for summer months | 3 | 3 | 2.1 |
| Highest daily recording | 38 | 40 | 69 |
It will be noticed that there are considerable variations between
winter and summer figures. This would appear to confirm that the
pollution within the Borough is mainly from domestic sources, as
industrial pollution occurs all the year round.
Further, during periods of fog when there is very little wind, most
of the pollution which builds up must come from local sources.
From December 3rd—6th 1957, fog occurred and the following daily figures indicate the marked increase in pollution:—
| Smoke | S02 | |
|---|---|---|
| December 2nd | 21 | 7 |
| December 3rd | 52 | 20 |
| December 4th | 167 | 58 |
| December 5th | 205 | 69 |
| December 6th | 96 | 31 |
| December 7th | 46 | 16 |